Ballantyne Summary

Pros

Right by I-485, granting easy access to other areas of Charlotte (though Uptown Charlotte is 25 minutes away, not including traffic)

A range of hotels

Cons

A car is a must and traffic can be extremely heavy

Not many historic sites or museums

What It's Like

Only a couple of decades ago Ballantyne was covered by sprawling farmland, but nowadays the upscale neighborhood is home to several gated communities, a corporate park, a couple of golf courses, and a large shopping complex with numerous dining options and a movie theater. It is one of the safer neighborhoods in Charlotte.

About 25 minutes from the more culturally rich Uptown area, Ballantyne does not have much to offer tourists (there are few museums or historic sites, with perhaps the most interesting site being a modern monument representing transportation, technology, human spirit, and finance -- not particularly thrilling.) However, its location right off of I-485 makes it easy enough to travel to other areas of Charlotte, although traffic can get heavy.

Where To Stay

Despite mainly being a residential area, Ballantyne has several hotels for varying budgets. Those in the area for business may want to stay near the Ballantyne Corporate Park, while those in the area for lesiure may want to stay near Ballantyne Village. South of Uptown Charlotte, Ballantyne is 25 minutes away (without traffic), so those who want to visit the city's museums may consider staying in the nothern area.